NC State offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford understands what change means.

The newly hired Ledford arrived from NC State from Appalachian State, moved to a new city, and is also about to welcome his second child in less than a week. The former East Carolina standout and seven-year NFL offensive lineman is enjoying a homecoming of sorts, after living in Raleigh during his NFL career. He also helped out at Raleigh Sanderson High in 2007.

Ledford has willingly embraced change, whether in his work life or when he’s away from Wolfpack football.

“I love the state of North Carolina,” Ledford said. “To be at NC State and to wear that block S, and to wear that Wolfpack when you go into schools and stuff like that. I’m excited about that.

“We are full speed in how much red stuff we can buy right now. We just bought a house and we are trying to find all different shades of red right now.”

Between his time in Greenville, Boone and Raleigh, few understand the dynamics of high school and college football in the state of North Carolina like Ledford does. That could particularly pay off for NC State in recruiting in the future.

“The thing I love about college athletics so much is that it is a lot about relationships,” said Ledford, who is from Marion, N.C. “It’s not just relationships with your co-workers and other coaches, but the relationships that you build with your players. That is always something special that I’ve had at other places.”

Ledford’s other 16 “children” have also been going through some flux. Injuries and the absence of redshirt sophomore right tackle Will Richardson led to defensive tackles Coult Culler and Deshaywn Middleton getting switched over to the offensive line. Ledford has ably pieced together the group this spring, which will culminate in Saturday’s Kay Yow Spring Game.

“It has forced some young guys to really have to step up,” Ledford said. “The whole thing about the spring is working on your fundamentals. [To] get what you want taught across to these guys. It’s getting a lot of these younger guys a lot of reps. It helps develop some depth.”

Ledford knows change has been the buzz word all spring, but he does know what he wants to see in the spring game.

“I want to see the speed off the ball and play with great speed,” Ledford said. “I want great effort, toughness and just have a good toughness about our group. That is going and finishing plays. I want them getting downfield and getting extra blocks. Have fun doing what you do. Playing on the offensive line is hard, but I want them enjoying it while doing it.”

Ledford himself played defensive line his first three years at East Carolina, before moving to left tackle his senior year under coach Steve Logan. NC State has its own success stories with Ted Larsen making the move during his Wolfpack career, and he recently just signed with the Chicago Bears. J.R. Sweezy made the move to guard after his NCSU career ended and helped the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl, and he just signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I tell the guys, ‘Don’t beat yourself up over it, enjoy the process. Enjoy the whole thing and becoming an offensive lineman. It takes time,’” Ledford said.

Ledford carries on the old adage of starting the five best offensive linemen, and having players learn how to play multiple positions. Injuries always tend to happen in the trenches and versatility is a key advantage.

“When I was in the NFL, you traveled seven offensive lineman and if a guy goes down, the next one goes in,” Ledford said. “You have to play multiple positions.”

Junior right guard Tony Adams is a potential leader on the offensive line, but has been out this spring with an injury. Ledford pointed to center/guard Garrett Bradbury and guard/tackle Tyler Jones, both redshirt sophomores, as developing leaders in the group.

“They’ve done a really good job from anything from extra film sessions, coming over at night, to wanting to do more work and push each other during practice and during individual drills,” Ledford said. “[Fifth-year senior guard] Bryce Kennedy has also done a good job.”

Ledford and new offensive coordinator Eli Drinkwitz have become quick friends in adjusting together to their new surroundings. Having a line coach and offensive coordinator on the same page is crucial for any college football program.

“Coach Drinkwitz is such a great people person,” said Ledford, who knows the players feed off of seeing the offensive coaches having fun coaching. “Our relationship of us coming in together and obviously leaning heavily on each other, from finding houses to what our wives are doing, and our kids. [We’ve been] putting his offensive system in place and talking about personnel within the offense.”

The offensive line helps set the tone by always being the last group to leave practice this spring.

“I’ve tried to tell the guys all the time that we won’t be outworked,” Ledford said. “We’ll be out here early and stay late. A lot of that is a mindset with these guys.”

Read more about NC State’s practices in The Wolfpacker’s spring football headquarters